James Floyd “Jim” Bennett, 88, of Crescent City, Fla., passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 9, 2020, following an extended illness from kidney disease.
He was born on Nov. 8, 1931, and raised in New Lexington, Ohio and graduated from New Lexington High School in the class of ’49 and established a long career in aviation. He taught flying at Ohio State University-Don Scott Field before being hired by Pan American Airlines in 1955. As an international pilot, he flew for Pan Am for 30 years, working his way to Captain and Check Captain. The last six years (1985-1991) of his career was with United Airlines as a Check Captain following United Airline purchase of Pan Am “Pacific Division routes.” He logged over 38,000 international flight hours flying to every continent worldwide. Before the jet age he started his Pan Am career flying the Boeing 377 Stratocruiser and the Douglas DC-4. As the jet age developed he flew the Boeing 707, Boeing 747-100, -200, -300, and the B747-SP (Special Performance). He ended his flying career in 1991 as a Check Captain with United Airlines flying the all new “glass cockpit” advanced Boeing 747-400.
He married Shirley Griffith on Oct. 17, 1976 in Shawnee, Okla., where they made their home for 11 years. In 1988, they moved to Eagle’s Nest Aerodrome (a privately owned airpark) west of Crescent City, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Nellie Bennett and a son, Timothy J. “T J” Bennett.
He is survived by his wife Shirley of 43 years; sister, Barbara Able of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; and brother, Jerry (Patti) Bennett of Morgan Hill, Calif. He has three surviving children, Lynne (Jim) Shelton, Nancy Bennett and Suzanne Bennett. He has two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He also has three stepchildren, Ernie (Shannon) Cunningham, Melinda (Ken) Stahl and Eric (Darlene) Wisener; 10 step-grandchildren and 12 step-great grandchildren. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
Mass of the Resurrection was held on Saturday, Sept, 26, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Crescent City, Fla.
A reception at the home for family was held following the funeral mass.